Elementary Music/Music Technology Blog

It is that time of year again when school begins. As I begin putting my classroom back together and writing up all of my plans, I reflect on what I am looking forward to when beginning my 13th year at FHCDS teaching elementary general music:

1. The students! I cannot wait to see my students again! Since I left the 08-09 school year early to have a baby, I miss them even more at this time of year. Elementary students are sponges. They love to learn about music. When I structure my lessons so my students sing, play instruments, move, compose using music technology, record their own improvisations and more, my students eat it up.
2. Professional Development. Each year I try to present at two conferences. When I am attending those conferences, I always make sure to attend at least one choral session, one instrumental session, at least two general music sessions, and numerous music tech sessions. I always feel rejuvenated when I return from a conference and I have new materials to immediately put forth in my classroom.
3. Adding new items to my curriculum: At the beginning of each year, I look over my lesson plans from last year and try to improve on them.
4. How parenthood will affect my teaching: A good friend recently told me that when you become a parent, you look at your students in a new way. You see them as someone’s child as well as a student. This in turn, will change the way you teach. I am looking forward to seeing how becoming a parent for the first time this past May, will affect my teaching this year.
5. “A Ha! Moments:” To me, there is nothing better than when your student who was struggling with singing on pitch, finally does sing on pitch. Or the student who recognizes a rhythm pattern and claps it for you perfectly. And many more of those “A Ha!” moments.

These are just a few of the items that I am looking forward to this year. What are you looking forward to this school year?